Terms and Conditions for Clients

1. Preliminary – Client Agreement

  • This Agreement is formed between a Client and LawyerMe Pty Ltd. 
  • By using the Website or any of its associated services and functionality you acknowledge and agree to be bound by this Agreement.
  • Please read this Agreement carefully before using the Website. If you do not agree to any terms and conditions of this Agreement, you must not use the Website.
  • There is no fee payable by the Client for use of the Website. 
  • LawyerMe charges the Lawyers for use of the Website and all membership packages are available on the Website. 
  • We reserve the right to make changes to this Agreement from time to time at our sole discretion. By continuing to use the Website, you agree to be bound by the changes.
  • We will endeavour to alert you of any significant changes to this Agreement either by email or by logging into your Account but we are under no obligation to do so. You should regularly check this Agreement to make sure you are familiar with the most current version.

2. Definitions

  • “Account” means the feature of the Website which provides the Client with access to the Website.
  • “Agreement” means this agreement.
  • “Barrister” has the meaning given to that term in the Legal Profession Uniform Law of NSW (or equivalent legislation regulating the legal profession in other States and Territories of Australia).
  • “Claim” means any and all actions, causes of action, suits, proceedings, complaints, dispute resolution procedures, (whether in a court, tribunal, industry body, ombudsman scheme or other forum dealing with complaints or disputes), pleadings, defences, expenses, costs (including legal costs on a full indemnity basis), losses, obligations or liabilities whatsoever.
  • “Client” means a person, other than a Lawyer, who has applied to be a member of the Website and whose application has been accepted by LawyerMe.
  • “Client Post” means a question, query or statement posted on the Website by a Client.
  • “Consequential Loss” means loss of revenue, loss of profits, loss of anticipated savings or business, pure economic loss, loss of data, loss of value of equipment (other than cost of repair), loss of opportunity or expectation loss and any form of consequential, special, indirect, punitive or exemplary loss or damages.
  • “Data” means text, audio and video information, as well as log and web activity records.
  • “Lawyer” means a person admitted as a lawyer in practice in the Supreme Court of each state or territory in Australia who holds a current practicing certificate in the relevant jurisdiction.
  • “LawyerMe” means LawyerMe Pty Ltd ACN  653 650 321.
  • “Legal Services” means the services provided by the Lawyer to the Client including but not limited to legal advice, legal assistance, representation and drafting of documents.
  • “Loss” means any financial or non-financial loss suffered by a Client or Lawyer in relation to utilising the Website.
  • “Malware” means viruses, worms, time bombs, Trojan horses, keystroke loggers and other harmful or malicious code, files, scripts, agents or programs.
  • “Parties” means Client and a representative of LawyerMe.
  • “Start Date” means the date the Client creates their Account and ticks the box “Accept Terms of use for Clients”.
  • “Website” means https://lawyerme.com.au (including any sub-domain), any other domain name or mobile application made publicly available by us to access the Services.
  • “You” or “Your” means the Client or Clients who enter into this Agreement with Us.
  • “We”, “Us” and “Our” means LawyerMe Pty Ltd, an Australian proprietary company.

3. Term of Agreement

  • This agreement begins on the Start Date and ends when the Client deletes the Account.

4. You represent and warrant to LawyerMe that:

  • You are at least eighteen (18) years of age;
  • You possess the legal right and ability to enter into a legally binding agreement with us; 
  • You will use the Website in accordance with this Agreement; 
  • You agree to be bound by the Agreement.

5. Client Account

  • Any person can sign up to the Website as a Client. 
  • You must be a Client to access features of the Website.
  • The registration and use of the Website is free of charge for a Client. 
  • To sign up for an Account, you must provide LawyerMe with the following information: 
    1. your full name; 
    2. your email address;
    3. your address;
    4. area of law of interest; 
    5. mobile telephone number.
  • You must ensure your information is accurate and kept up to date. LawyerMe is not liable for any Loss or damage suffered as a result of the inaccuracy or otherwise of any information associated with the Account.
  • Your account is for your sole use and is not transferable without our prior written consent.
  • LawyerMe reserves the unrestricted right to refuse the registration of a Client to any person and to suspend or  terminate or restrict a Client’s use of the Website or Account at any time without notice for any reason including breach of any clause of this Agreement. 
  • You are responsible for any activity that occurs under or through your Account and you must maintain the confidentiality of your Account username and password. 
  • You must notify us immediately of any actual or suspected unauthorised use of your Account or breach of your Account security. 
  • LawyerMe reserves the right to collect the content, communications, pictures and other information you provide when you use the Website including when you register as a Client, create a Client Post or message or communicate with Lawyers. You authorise LawyerMe to store and use that information and pictures. LawyerMe stores Data until your account is deleted.
  • You warrant that all information provided under your Account is true, correct, complete and accurate. If there is a change to any information relating to your Account, you must update your Account or notify us as soon as possible.  If we suspect that any information provided by you is incomplete, inaccurate, incorrect or false, we may suspend or terminate your Account.
  • Each Client is responsible for maintaining the accuracy of their personal details that are registered with the Website. LawyerMe is not liable for any Loss or damage suffered as a result of the inaccuracy or otherwise of any information associated with a Client’s personal details.
  • A Client cannot transfer their Account to another person and cannot let another Client use their Account for any reason or purpose. A breach of this clause is a breach of this Agreement.

6. What is LawyerMe and how it works

  • The Website operates as an online platform connecting Lawyers with Clients. 
  • The Website allows Clients to search for a Lawyer through the lawyer directory facility and to Create a Post which allows Lawyers to get in touch with Clients. 
  • Submission of a Client Post does not guarantee that a Lawyer will  contact the Client. 
  • You understand that all Client Posts posted on the Website are available to be viewed by Lawyers, Clients and the world. You are responsible for all personal and confidential information posted on the Website. LawyerMe strongly recommends that no personal and/or confidential information be posted on the Website. LawyerMe recommends that all personal information and/or confidential information be provided to Lawyers via the messages tab available on the Website or alternatively via email.  
  • The Website is not a Lawyer referral service, it is not legal advice, it does not provide legal advice and does not provide Legal Services.
  • The Website is a two way platform: Lawyers can contact Clients and Clients can contact Lawyers. 
  • Clients can connect with Lawyers directly through the Website through the following ways, (depending on the level of Lawyer Membership): 
    1. search for a lawyer; 
    2. email a Lawyer (if email address available); 
    3. call a Lawyer (if telephone number available); 
    4. send a message to a Lawyer through the Website; 
    5. receive messages through the Client Post;
  • The Website is not a Lawyer or a law firm and it does not provide legal advice or Legal Services. No information contained on the Website should be construed to be in any way as provision of Legal Services or legal advice. 
  • Your use of the Website or the receipt of any information from us is not intended to create nor does it create a Lawyer-Client relationship between you and us.
  • Your use of the Website or the receipt of any information from a Lawyer listed on the Website is not intended to create nor does it create a Lawyer-Client relationship between you and the Lawyer, unless agreed in writing between you and the Lawyer directly.
  • The Website is not intended to be, nor should it be relied on as, a substitute for legal or other professional advice.
  • Any Lawyer using the Website is an independent agent, not employed by LawyerMe. Any statements, representations and opinions of a Lawyer made via the Website is their own and do not represent the views or opinions of LawyerMe. 
  • Any Legal Services facilitated on the Website are direct between the Client and the Lawyer. LawyerMe is not a party to any transaction, conversation or connection between the Client and the Lawyer. 
  • You can contact any Lawyer on the Website whose details are available. 
  • Any communication between the Lawyer and the Client does not constitute legal advice and should only be relied on by any Client or person as general information.
  • LawyerMe reserves the right to revise, edit, delete or amend any comments or made by you on the Website without notice to you. 
  • LawyerMe makes no guarantee, representation or warranty as to the accuracy or veracity of any information from the Lawyer to the Client. 
  • LawyerMe makes not guarantee, representation or warranty to Clients to being able to connect with Clients.  
  • LawyerMe reserves the right to revise, edit, delete or amend a Client Post for any reason and without notice or explanation; 
  • LawyerMe reserves the right to refuse to make available to a Lawyer any Client Post 

7. Your Use of the Website and the Account

  • The only authorised access point to the Website is via www.lawyerme.com.au.
  • You agree to use the Website only for purposes that are permitted by:
    1. this Agreement; and
    2. any applicable law or regulation.
  • You must not (or attempt to):
    1. access any part of the Website by any means other than through the interface provided by us;
    2. use any profanity language on the Website; 
    3. access or use the Website: 
      1. in a way that violates the Agreement; 
      2. for unlawful of dangerous activities or purposes; 
      3. in a way that is fraudulent, inaccurate, false, misleading or deceptive;
      4. in a way that violates any applicable law; or
      5. in a way that infringes the rights of any other person;
    4. use any robot, spider, scraper or other automated means to access the Website for any purpose without our express written permission;
    5. engage in any activity that interferes with or disrupts the Website or the servers and networks that host the Website;
    6. interfere with security-related features of the Website or features that prevent or restrict use or copying of any content or enforce limitations on the use of the Website or the content on the Website;
    7. use, copy, or distribute content except as permitted by this Agreement, by law or with our prior written consent;
    8. use the Website to upload, transmit or otherwise contribute content that infringes on another party’s intellectual property rights or other proprietary, contractual or fiduciary rights or obligations;
    9. use the Website to upload or publish any content that is unlawful, defamatory, harassing, abusive, fraudulent, obscene, contains Malware, or is otherwise objectionable as reasonably determined by us;
    10. use the Website for any fraudulent or inappropriate purpose;
    11. use browser plugins or third-party services to block or circumvent advertisements displayed on the Website;
    12. use the Website to send unsolicited or spam messages to any third-party;
    13. use the Website to impersonate another user or person;
    14. use the Website to register another person’s name;
    15. use another user’s account.
  • You understand and agree that if you engage in any suspected fraudulent, abusive or illegal activity we may, at our discretion, provide your details and details of your conduct to law enforcement authorities without your knowledge or consent.
  • You must keep your account password secure and are solely responsible for the activity that occurs via your account. We cannot be held responsible for any unauthorised activity via your account.
  • If you suspect or become aware of any unauthorised use of your account or that your password is no longer secure, you must notify us immediately and take immediate steps to re-secure your account (including by changing your password).
  • You are responsible for ensuring your use of the Website complies with all relevant laws and regulations. 
  • You must not use the Website to upload, post, transmit or otherwise make available any material (or hyperlinks to such material) that:
    1. infringes the Intellectual Property Rights of another person;
    2. could reasonably be expected to be threatening, defamatory, abusive, indecent or otherwise unlawful; or
    3. You know or suspect (or ought reasonably to have known or suspected) is false, misleading or deceptive.
    4. contain images of any person other than you (without their consent);
    5. material, cartoons, pictures or text that is offensive or potentially likely to offend, discriminate, defame or cause social concern; or
    6. nudity.
  • A Client must not sell, re-sell, licence or sub-licence any information contained on the Website.
  • You will not use the Website to send, allow to be sent, or assist in the sending of one or more unsolicited commercial electronic messages or otherwise breach the Spam Act 2003 (Cth) and accompanying regulations.
  • You will not distribute viruses or other malicious software to or through the Website, impose an unreasonable load on the servers of the Website, use a robot, spider or scraper to harvest material (including email addresses) from the Website or bypass any measure used to prevent and control access to the Website.
  • If we believe in our sole determination that your use of the Website is being used to discriminate especially if based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, ancestry or national origin we may permanently or temporarily terminate or suspend your access to the Website and/or your Account without notice and liability to you and for any reason. 

8. Engaging a Lawyer for Legal Services

  • A Client may choose to engage a Lawyer for the provision of Legal Services.  
  • A Lawyer may require the Client to enter into a Costs Agreement for the provision of the Legal Services. 
  • LawyerMe does not moderate or check any information that Clients provide to Lawyers or the information that Lawyers provide to Clients (other than the Client Post and the answers provided by the Lawyers to the Client Post). 
  • A Client’s engagement of a Lawyer via the Website is a direct contractual relationship between the Client and the Lawyer to the exclusion of LawyerMe. LawyerMe is not a party to any agreement between the Client and the Lawyer. 
  • Any Costs Agreement established between a Client and a Lawyer as a result of communication via the Website exists independent of LawyerMe and the Website, and has no legal effect on this Agreement.

9. Termination

a) We may stop (temporarily or permanently) providing you with access to your Account at our sole discretion without prior notice or explanation to you.

b) LawyerMe reserves the right to terminate this Agreement in whole or in part at any time if: 

c) It decides to do so at any time; or 

d) you breach a provision of this Agreement; or

e) We may terminate your account or restrict your access to the Website if we deem it necessary or appropriate. If we do this, you may be prevented from accessing all or parts of the Website or Account, logging in to your Account or specific content contained in you’re Account.

f) We will not be liable to you or any third-party in the event of us taking action under clauses 9(a)-9(e) above. 

g) You may terminate the Agreement at any time by deleting your Account. All your Data will be deleted.

10. Availability of the Website and changes to the Website

  • We aim to provide a positive experience for you. We reserve the right to change the Website at any time. We do not guarantee that you will be able to access the Website in the same way or with the same technology that you used before the change.
  • We will use commercially reasonable efforts to make your Account available to you, 24 hours a day, seven days (7) a week, except for scheduled downtime.
  • We will use commercially reasonable efforts to communicate downtime via email to the Client.
  • LawyerMe  reserves the right to suspend access to the Website for critical maintenance without notice.

11. Technical support and general enquiries

  • We will provide you with basic technical support and general enquiries support via phone, chat and email.
  • We will use commercially reasonable efforts to acknowledge each received technical support request and general enquiry request as soon as possible. 
  • When lodging a support request and general enquiry request, you must provide us with sufficient detail to understand and replicate any problem you might be experiencing.
  • You are responsible for consulting our FAQ for any known problems or solutions associated with your request before sending a request to us.
  • You can contact us for technical support and general enquiries between Monday to Friday between 9:00am to 5:00pm.

12. Information on the Website

  • We do not pre-screen all contributed content or regularly review all contributed content (including Client Post or responses by Lawyers to Client Posts), but we reserve the absolute right (though not the obligation) to remove, without notice, any content published.
  • You understand and agree that except where required by law, we are not responsible for inaccuracies or errors caused by incorrect information supplied to us on the Website.
  • You agree to make your own enquiries to verify the accuracy and/or suitability of any information contained on the Website.

13. Disclaimer and Liability

  • We make no warranties or representations about the Website and Services. We exclude, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any liability that may arise as a result of your use of the Services and Website.
  • We do not warrant that the Website will be available at all times or that it will be provided without fault or disruption.
  • LawyerMe does not guarantee continuous, error-free access to the Website. 
  • We aim to keep the content of the Website as accurate, useful and error-free as possible, however, except where we are not permitted to do so by law, we exclude all liability to you or anyone else for Loss or damage of any kind or nature relating in any way resulting from your use of, or reliance upon, information contained on the Website including, but not limited to, Loss or damage you might suffer as a result of:
    1. errors, omissions or inaccuracies on the Website;
    2. the information or Legal Service that was provided to you by a Lawyer or Lawyers that you connected with on the Website;
    3. you acting or not acting, on any information contained on or referred to on the Website and/or any linked Website;
    4. personal injury or property damage of any nature resulting from your access to or use of the Website;
    5. any unauthorised access to or use of our secure servers and/or personal data; and/or financial information stored on those servers;
    6. any interruption or cessation of transmission to or from the Website;
    7. any Malware which may be transmitted to or through our Website by any third-party; and/or
    8. the quality of any product or service of any linked website.
  • LawyerMe is not liable for any action, statement, representation, inducement, undertaking or advice, or the accuracy of or reliance on such matters, made, provided or published by a Lawyer or Client via the Website or otherwise.
  • LawyerMe will have no liability whatsoever to the Client for any loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of goodwill, loss of customers, loss of or damage to reputation, loss of capital, downtime costs, loss under or in relation to any other contract, loss of data, loss of use of data or any other economic or Consequential Loss, harm, damages, cost or expense (including legal fees) incurred by you or anyone else under or in connection with the Website or the provision of the Legal Services. 
  • LawyerMe is not liable for any infringement of Intellectual Property Rights that arises as a result of content submitted to LawyerMe for publication on or transmission via the Website by you.
  • You will not hold LawyerMe liable for any Loss or damage suffered as a result of your use of the Website, whether or not that Loss or damage was caused by LawyerMe or another user of the Website.
  • You unconditionally release LawyerMe (and its officers, employees, representatives and contractors) from any liability or obligation (known and unknown) relating to or in connection with any dispute you may have with another user of the Website (either Lawyer or Client or otherwise).
  • To the extent legally permitted, LawyerMe disclaims all warranties, representations, conditions, guarantees and terms other than those expressly set out in this Agreement, express or implied. In the event that LawyerMe is found liable to any party under or in connection with this Client Agreement or the Website, its aggregate liability to that party is limited to the amount that party has paid to LawyerMe for the service that gave rise to the Claim during the 12 months preceding the Claim.
  • This clause survives the termination of this Agreement.
  • Where liability cannot be excluded, any liability incurred by Us in relation to the use of this Website is limited by the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).
  • We will never be liable for any indirect, incidental, special or Consequential Loss arising out of the use of the Website, including Loss of business profits irrespective of whether you have informed us of this possibility, or the quantum in advance. 

14. Indemnity

  • You understand and acknowledge that you, as a Client of this Website, are responsible, and are personally liable for, any content that you contribute and actions that you perform on the Website. You will at all times indemnify, and keep indemnified, us, our directors, officers, employees and agents from and against any Loss (including reasonable legal costs and expenses) or liability incurred or suffered by us arising from any Claim, demand, suit, action or proceeding by any person against us where such Loss or liability arose out of, in connection with or in respect of your use of the Website or your conduct or breach of this Agreement.

15. Intellectual Property

  • We reserve all of our intellectual property rights, including but not limited to, copyright in content and/or services provided by us. Nothing in this Agreement gives you a right to use any of our marketing material, business names, trade marks, logos, domain names or other distinctive brand features.
  • You may not:
    1. modify or copy the layout or appearance of the Website nor any computer software or code contained in the Website; and/or
    2. decompile or disassemble, reverse engineer or otherwise attempt to discover or access any source code related to the Website or any content appearing on the Website.
  • We respect the intellectual property of others. Trade marks used on the Website that belong to third parties remain the intellectual property of the respective owner. It is our policy to respond promptly to claims of intellectual property infringement. 
  • If you contribute content to the Website or communicate or correspond with us, you automatically grant to us an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to use, copy, display and distribute the content and/or any part of your correspondence or communication (the “Material”) and to prepare derivative works of the Material or incorporate the Material into other works in order to publish or promote the Website or its content. This may include, but is not limited to, publishing testimonials and reviews on the Website, promoting the Website through means other than the Website and developing your ideas and suggestions for improved products or services we provide. Where we use your material, you acknowledge and agree that you are not entitled to be paid a fee, royalty or any other form of consideration by us for doing so.

16. Assignment

  • You may not assign any of your rights or obligations under this Agreement whether by operation of law or otherwise, without our prior written consent.
  • We may assign any of our rights or obligations under this Agreement at our discretion and ensure that any assignee undertakes to comply with the terms of Agreement between you and us as at the date of assignment.

17. General

  • Any indemnity or any obligation under this agreement survives termination or expiry of this agreement. 
  • We may assign our rights and we may transfer our obligation under this agreement to any person or third party without your prior written consent. It is your obligation to give effect to this. 
  • Any provision of this agreement which is illegal, void or unenforceable in whole or in part is ineffective to the extent only of such illegality, voidance or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions or parts of those provisions.  
  • A party does not waive a right, power or remedy if it fails to exercise or delays in exercising the right power or remedy. 
  • This Agreement does not create a relationship of employment, trust agency or partnership between you and LawyerMe
  • This Agreement is governed by and is to be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New South Wales and each party submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of that State and any Courts hearing appeals therefrom.  
  • This Agreement sets out the entire Agreement between the Lawyer and LawyerMe in relation to the use of the Website. If any amendments are to be made to this Agreement in its current form, each party must treat those amendments as confidential information and no announcement or communication relating to the negotiations of the Parties or to the existence, subject matter or terms of the amendments may be made or authorised by a party unless:
    1. the other party has first given their written approval;
    2. the disclosure is to the party’s related bodies corporate, officers, employees, consultants, professional advisers, bankers, financial advisers or financiers;
    3. the disclosure is to a person whose consent is required under this Agreement or is necessary or desirable for a transaction contemplated by it; or
    4. the disclosure is made to the extent reasonably needed to comply with:
    5. any applicable law; or 
    6. the listing rules applicable to the party (or a related body corporate of the party).
  • We reserve the right to revise and amend this Agreement at our discretion at any time without any notice to you.
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18. Lawyer Reviews and Ratings

  • We may moderate or cancel a review or rating at any time without prior notice at our sole discretion (though we do not have the obligation to moderate). LawyerMe may contact the Client to question the validity of a review or rating. 
  • Reviews and Ratings submitted by you must reflect your personal experience with the Lawyer and/or law firm. The information, comment or stars you provide should be of a kind that a reasonable person would find useful when searching for a Lawyer or law firm.
  • Your review must be factually accurate and must not defame, exaggerate or misrepresent your experience. Comments must be based on fact and not based on gossip, rumour or without a proper basis. You must be able to support all statements you make. We are not responsible for verifying or investigating reviews.
  • The star rating that you provide must be factually accurate. We are not responsible for verifying or investigating reviews. 
  • Only review and rate a Lawyer that you have direct experience with. Your perspective on someone else’s experience is solely your perspective and without more, the making of comments on another person’s experience is not permitted.

19. Links to other websites

  • The Website may contain links to other third party websites.  LawyerMe does not control the third party websites. The links are on the Website for the convenient of Clients and Lawyers. 
  • LawyerMe makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy of the information on any third party websites. The availability of the links on the LawyerMe website does not in any way imply endorsement, recommendation or support by LawyerMe of that website or its contents. You acknowledge and agree that any access and use of the third party website is at your own risk. 
  • LawyerMe is not responsible for: the contents found on the third party website or any link found on the third party website, any changes made to the third party websites or any losses suffered by you in connection with accessing the third party website.

20. Non-disparagement

a) Each of the Parties must not, at any time after executing this Agreement, even if the Client has an Account or not, disparage LawyerMe or make any statement or publication, whether oral or in writing, which does or is likely to bring LawyerMe into disrepute or ridicule or otherwise adversely affect its reputation. 

b) If any amendments are to be made to this Agreement in its current form, each party must treat those amendments as confidential information and no announcement or communication relating to the negotiations of the Parties or to the existence, subject matter or terms of the amendments may be made or authorised by a party unless:

    1. the other party has first given their written approval;
    2. the disclosure is to the party’s related bodies corporate, officers, employees, consultants, professional advisers, bankers, financial advisers or financiers;
    3. the disclosure is to a person whose consent is required under this Agreement or is necessary or desirable for a transaction contemplated by it; or
    4. the disclosure is made to the extent reasonably needed to comply with:

                      1.b.i.1.1.1. any applicable law; or

                      1.b.i.1.1.2. the listing rules applicable to the party (or a related body corporate of the party).

c) Paragraphs(b) above does not prohibit:

    • Disclosure or use required for the purpose of any proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any other agreement entered into under or pursuant to this Agreement; or
    • Disclosure to any governmental agency, provided that such disclosure is made only to the extent which is necessary to satisfy applicable legal or regulatory obligations.
    1.  
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21. Variation

  • This Agreement is effective between you and us as at the Start Date. 
  • We may change the terms of this Agreement at our discretion. Where such change adversely affects your material rights, you may terminate this Agreement by deleting your Account. 
  • A version of the current and updated Agreement will be available on the Website, at all times. By continuing to use the Website and Services you acknowledge and accept the terms of this Agreement as amended from time to time. The Agreement is in no way limited or altered by any other terms or conditions on the Website. Where there is an inconsistency between this Agreement and any policies or rules, they shall be interpreted and take priority in that sequence.

22. Dispute resolution

  • No Proceedings – a Client must not start court proceedings in respect of a dispute arising out of this Agreement (Dispute) unless it has complied with this Clause.
  • Notification of Dispute – A Client claiming that a Dispute has arisen must notify LawyerMe giving written details of the Dispute.
  • Best Efforts to Resolve Dispute – During the ten (10) day period after a notice is given (or longer period unanimously agreed in writing by the Parties to the Dispute) (Initial Period) the Lawyer and LawyerMe representative must meet in good faith and use their best efforts to resolve the Dispute (Settlement Conference).
  • Appointment of Experts – if no agreement is reached in respect of the Dispute after the Settlement Conference, the Parties are to appoint an independent mediator. If the Parties cannot agree on a mediator, then either Party may request that a practising Barrister or solicitor be appointed by the President of the Law Society of New South Wales. The mediator appointed by the Law Society is to have a minimum of five (5) years practising as a mediator. 
  • Variation of Process – The Parties may agree to vary the dispute resolution procedure as outlined above if they all agree in writing.

Terms and Conditions for Lawyers

1. Preliminary – Lawyer Agreement

  • No Proceedings – a Client must not start court proceedings in respect of a dispute arising out of this Agreement (Dispute) unless it has complied with this Clause.
  • Notification of Dispute – A Client claiming that a Dispute has arisen must notify LawyerMe giving written details of the Dispute.
  • Best Efforts to Resolve Dispute – During the ten (10) day period after a notice is given (or longer period unanimously agreed in writing by the Parties to the Dispute) (Initial Period) the Lawyer and LawyerMe representative must meet in good faith and use their best efforts to resolve the Dispute (Settlement Conference).
  • Appointment of Experts – if no agreement is reached in respect of the Dispute after the Settlement Conference, the Parties are to appoint an independent mediator. If the Parties cannot agree on a mediator, then either Party may request that a practising Barrister or solicitor be appointed by the President of the Law Society of New South Wales. The mediator appointed by the Law Society is to have a minimum of five (5) years practising as a mediator. 
  • Variation of Process – The Parties may agree to vary the dispute resolution procedure as outlined above if they all agree in writing.

2. Definitions

  • “Account” means the feature of the Website which provides the Lawyer with access to the Website. You can have an Account on the Website with a Membership or without a Membership.
  • “Account User” means a named user with authority to access Your Account.
  • “Agreement” means this agreement.
  • “Business Day” means a day which is not a public holiday or a weekend day (ie Saturday or Sunday). Any reference to time is a reference to the time current in Sydney New South Wales, Australia.
  • “Claim” means any and all actions, causes of action, suits, proceedings, complaints, dispute resolution procedures, (whether in a court, tribunal, industry body, ombudsman scheme or other forum dealing with complaints or disputes), pleadings, defences, expenses, costs (including legal costs on a full indemnity basis), losses, obligations or liabilities whatsoever arising out of or in relation to any dispute between the Client and LawyerMe and a Lawyer and LawyerMe.
  • “Client” means a person, other than a Lawyer, who has applied to be a member of the Website and whose application has been accepted by LawyerMe.
  • “Client Post” means a question, query or statement posted on the Website by a Client.
  • “Confidential Information” means:
    •  all information which is not in the public domain, and which is disclosed by LawyerMe in whatever form (whether before or after the date of this agreement) to the Lawyer or which is otherwise acquired by the Lawyer directly or indirectly from LawyerMe including, without limitation:
      1.  information concerning the business, assets, liabilities, and financial position of LawyerMe or 
      2. the information regarding LawyerMe’s customers, pricing policies, marketing strategies, proposed business plans and business generally whether disclosed by LawyerMe or any other person;
      3. any material brought into existence by the Lawyer when performing any services or otherwise carrying out his obligations under this Agreement;
      4. any material provided or made available by or on behalf of LawyerMe to the Lawyer;
      5. any other information acquired or produced by the Lawyer in connection with the services which is not in the public domain and which by its nature is confidential or which is identified by LawyerMe (acting reasonably) to be confidential.
  • “Credentials” means a username, password and/or security token associated to log in and access the Website.
  • “Data” means text, audio and video information, as well as log and web activity records.
  • “Data Related to Your Data” means all electronically stored information submitted or uploaded by a third-party, to the Website about you or your Account, including, but not limited to, Client reviews.
  • “Free Membership” means a free based membership to the Website.
  • “Lawyer” means a person admitted as a lawyer in practice in the Supreme Court of each state or territory in Australia who holds a current practicing certificate in the relevant jurisdiction.
  • “LawyerMe” means LawyerMe Pty Ltd ACN 653 650 321.
  • “Local Regulatory Authority” means any body that regulates and overlooks the actions of lawyers and law firms including their behaviour and compliance with all laws and regulations.
  • “Loss” means any financial or non-financial loss suffered by a Client or Lawyer in relation to utilising the Website.
  • “Malware” means viruses, worms, time bombs, Trojan horses, keystroke loggers and other harmful or malicious code, files, scripts, agents or programs.
  • “Membership” means the membership of Lawyers to the Website including the Free Membership and/or Paid Membership.
  • “Membership Fee” means the fee that is payable by the Lawyer depending on the Membership type.
  • “New Client” means a Client that is not a Client of the Lawyer prior to the Lawyer obtaining an Account.
  • “Paid Membership” means a fee-based subscription to the Website. The Paid Membership includes the following packages: Essential, Premium and Ultimate. The applicable fees for the Paid Memberships are made available on Website.
  • “Parties” means a Lawyer and a representative of LawyerMe.
  • “Renewal Date” means 30 days after the Start Date.
  • “Services” means the Website features provided by us to you, including, but not limited to the legal directory.
  • “Start Date” means the date the Lawyer creates their Account and ticks the box “Accept Terms of use for Lawyers”.
  • “We“, “Us” or “Our” means LawyerMe Pty Ltd, an Australian proprietary company.
  • “Website” means https://lawyerme.com.au  (including any sub-domain), any other domain name or mobile application made publicly available by us to access the Services.
  • “You” or “Your” means the lawyer, law firm or other subscriber who enters into this Agreement with Us.
  • “Your Data” means all electronically stored information submitted or uploaded by you, either directly or programmatically authorised by you, to the Website.

3. Term of Agreement

  • This agreement begins on the Start Date and ends: 
    • by you giving us notice of termination before the Renewal Date; or 
    • by us giving you a notice of termination.

 

4. You represent and warrant to LawyerMe that

  • You are a Lawyer; 
  • You hold a valid practising certificate in the relevant jurisdiction; 
  • You possess the legal right and ability to enter into a legally binding agreement with us; 
  • You will use the Website in accordance with this Agreement; 
  • You agree to be bound by the Agreement. 
  • Have all the necessary experience, skill, knowledge and competence to perform legal services;
  • Have insurance required by your Local Regulatory Authority; 
  • Are who you tell us you are as is found on your LawyerMe Account and as per the information contained in your identity document and in the practicing certificate.
  • You will perform the services in accordance with all laws and regulations

5. LawyerMe Account

  • Any Lawyer can apply for an Account. 
  • In order for a Lawyer to be approved for a LawyerMe Account, the Lawyer must provide to LawyerMe copies of the following documents: 
    1. valid practising certificate in the relevant jurisdiction; and 
    2. a valid identity document (ie driver licence or Australian passport). 
  • To sign up for an Account, you must provide LawyerMe with the following information: 
    1. Username and password;
    2. Your full name; 
    3. Your email address;
    4. A scanned copy of your practising certificate and ID; 
    5. Location including city and state; 
    6. Short description of experience; 
    7. Initial consultation fee; 
    8. Date of admission; 
    9. Areas of practice in law; 
    10. The name of your law firm and the size of your law firm; 
    11. Your current position; 
  • Prior to your LawyerMe Account being approved, LawyerMe will need to ensure that you are entitled to practice law in Australia and subsequently undertake various searches to ensure your identity which includes contacting the Law Society in the state that you practice in and/or contacting your legal firm. If your identity is not confirmed based on our searches, then your LawyerMe Account will not be approved. 
  • To be approved by us, you must hold a principal practicing certificate or an unrestricted practicing certificate with the consent of the principal practicing certificate holder in your firm, to give advice on the Website.  You, or the firm for which you are employed by which has consented to you being an Advisor, must also hold professional indemnity insurance as approved by your State Law Society, noting this insurance attaches to any advice you give in the platform and the insurance holder will be liable for any advice sessions you provide.   
  • LawyerMe reserves the unrestricted right to reject any application to be a Lawyer registered with the Website and to suspend, terminate or restrict a Lawyer’s use of the Account and Website at any time without notice for any reason, including breach of this Agreement. 
  • You warrant that all information provided under your Account is true, correct, complete and accurate. If there is a change to any information relating to your Account, you must update your Account or notify us as soon as possible.  If we suspect that any information provided by you is incomplete, inaccurate, incorrect or false, we may suspend or terminate your Account.
  • You are responsible for any activity that occurs through the Account. You warrant that you will maintain the confidentiality of your Account username and password. 
  • You must notify us immediately of any actual or suspected unauthorised use of your Account or breach of your Account security. 
  • A Lawyer cannot transfer their Account to another person and cannot let another Lawyer use their Account for any reason or purpose. A breach of this clause is a breach of this Agreement. 
  • You authorise LawyerMe to use your pictures and information for marketing purposes.

6. LawyerMe Memberships

  • There are four (4) Memberships available through the Website: 
    1. Free;
    2. Essential;
    3. Premium; 
    4. Ultimate. 
  • The Memberships are on a month-by-month basis. You can cancel any time prior to the Renewal Date. 
  • The features of the Memberships are found on the Website and we reserve the right to amend the features of the Memberships in our sole discretion and without notice to you. You must regularly check the Website for any changes in the Membership features. 
  • The features of the Memberships have different rights, opportunities and incentives and monthly costs which can be accessed by following this link https://lawyerme.com.au/why-lawyerme/ .  
  • We will make the Website and Services available to you in accordance with the Membership that you have and this Agreement. 
  • You may change your Membership at any time by logging onto the Website. 
  • We will make the Website available to you until you cancel your Membership and/or your Account.  
  • You acknowledge and agree that the content and functionality of the Website and Services are those in existence at the time of you taking out a Membership, and there is no promise by us or expectation by you of any future functionality or features.
  • You agree to pay all agreed fees relating to your Membership in advance for the type of Membership you have purchased.
  • If your Membership incurs a fee, then you authorise LawyerMe to charge you automatically each month until such time as you cancel the Membership. 
  • The Membership Fee will be charged to the bank card or bank account provided (preferred payment method). 
  • You may update your preferred payment method at any time and LawyerMe will use the updated preferred payment method for each payment after. 
  • In order to use LawyerMe you must provide at least one method of preferred payment method. If payment is not successfully settled when it is due, LawyerMe reserves the right to suspend your access to your Account until we have successfully charged a valid payment method. For some preferred payment methods, the issuer may charge you certain fees and taxes. LawyerMe does not take any responsibility for any charges or taxes charged by the issuer to the Lawyer. 
  • You may cancel your Paid Membership any time before the Renewal Date. Your Paid Membership will still be active until the Renewal Date and cease being active from the Renewal Date onwards. After the Renewal Date your Account will automatically switch to Free Membership.  
  • You may cancel your Free Membership any time and it will be cancelled immediately. You will cease to have an Account with LawyerMe.
  • Your Data will be permanently deleted if you delete your Account or if we delete your Account. You are solely responsible for retrieving any of your Data held by us before expiry or termination of your Account. Data Related to Your Data will also be permanently deleted at this time.

7. Clients and Lawyers connecting on LawyerMe

  • Clients can connect with Lawyers directly through the Website through the following ways, depending on the level of Lawyer Membership: 
    1. search for a lawyer; 
    2. email a Lawyer (if email address available); 
    3. call a Lawyer (if telephone number available); 
    4. send a message to a Lawyer through the Website; 
    5. receive messages through the Client Post.
  • By having a Free Membership, Lawyers can interact with Clients on the Website by having Clients contact Lawyers via telephone number or via the email address available on the Lawyer’s Account. 
  • By having a Paying Membership, Lawyers can interact with Clients on the Website as follows: 
    1. Clients can contact Lawyers via the telephone number or via the email address available on the Lawyer’s Account;
    2. Clients can contact Lawyers privately on the Website via the ‘messages’ tab; 
    3. Lawyers can comment to a Client Post that is posted on the Website;
    4. Lawyers can contact Clients directly on the Website via the ‘messages’ tab;  
    5. Lawyers can contact Clients by commenting on the Client Post; 
    6. Lawyers can set up a zoom call with the Client; 
    7. Lawyers can leave a comment once they apply for the Client Post; 
  • Any communication between the Lawyer and the Client does not constitute legal advice and should only be relied on by any Client or person as general information.
  • LawyerMe reserves the right to revise, edit, delete or amend any comments made by you on the Website without notice to you. 
  • LawyerMe makes no guarantee, representation or warranty as to the accuracy or veracity of any information from the Lawyer to the Client. 
  • LawyerMe makes not guarantee, representation or warranty to Lawyers to being able to connect with Clients and New Clients.

8. No guarantee of New Clients

  • LawyerMe makes no guarantee, representation or warranty that the Website will obtain the Lawyers New Clients. 
  • The Membership Fee is payable to LawyerMe by Lawyers regardless of whether or not the Lawyer obtains a New Client from the Website.

9. Use of the LawyerMe Services, Website and Account

  • You warrant and guarantee to LawyerMe that you and only you are providing the Services to the Client on the Website. In the circumstances that a Lawyer has left your law firm, you warrant that you will cancel the other Lawyer’s Account and set up your own Account. Any breach of this clause may lead to cancellation of your Account and any other Accounts that the firm may have with LawyerMe.  
  • We will maintain appropriate administrative, physical and technical safeguards for the protection of the security, confidentiality and integrity of your Data.
  • Use of the LawyerMe Website must be made by complying with the following: 
    1. All laws including all acts and regulations; 
    2. All industry codes of conduct; 
    3. Occupational health and safety laws;
    4. Privacy and  data protection laws;
    5. LawyerMe’s direction as to the interpretation of the laws;
    6. You must ensure that you do not perform the Legal Services in a way that causes LawyerMe to breach any laws; 
    7. You warrant that you will advise LawyerMe whether you believe that any aspect of the Website breaches any law or causes you to breach any law. 
  • Lawyers are to provide a response to a Client that has reached out to them via messages, email or telephone call as soon as possible.   
  • We will not disclose your Data except where compelled by law or expressly permitted in writing by you.
  • We will only access your Data to provide the Services or prevent or address service or technical problems, or at your request in connection with technical support matters.
  • You will be responsible for your Account’s compliance with this Agreement.
  • You are solely responsible for the accuracy, quality, integrity and legality of your Data.
  • Each Lawyer is responsible for maintaining the accuracy of their personal details that are registered with the Website. LawyerMe is not liable for any Loss or damage suffered as a result of the inaccuracy or otherwise of any information associated with a Lawyer’s personal details.
  • You must not use the Website for an unlawful purpose. You understand that unauthorised access to, or misuse of the Services or Website, or data contained within it, may result in civil action and/or criminal prosecution.
  • You must ensure that your access to the Website is made from a computer system that is subject to appropriate security controls. At a minimum, your system should possess active and current safeguards against Malware.
  • You must ensure that your Credentials are stored securely. 
  • If you become aware of any anticipated, actual or apparent security breach relating to the Website, Services or Data contained within it, you must immediately notify us.
  • As between us and you, you exclusively own all rights, title and interest in and to all of your Data.
  • We have a royalty-free, worldwide, transferable, sub-licensable, irrevocable, perpetual license to use or incorporate into the Services or Website any suggestions, enhancement requests, recommendations or other feedback provided by you, including Account Users, in relation to the Services.

10. Your use of the Website and the Account

  • The only authorised access point to the Website is via www.lawyerme.com.au .
  • You agree to use the Website only for purposes that are permitted by:
    1. this Agreement; and
    2. any applicable law or regulation.
  • LawyerMe makes no guarantee, representation or warranty as to the accuracy or veracity of any information provided or submitted to the Website.  
  • You must not (or attempt to):
    1. access any part of the Website by any means other than through the interface provided by us;
    2. use any profanity language on the Website; 
    3. access or use the Website: 

                      10.d.iii.1. in a way that violates the Agreement; 

                      10.d.iii.2. for unlawful of dangerous activities or purposes; 

                      10.d.iii.3. in a way that is fraudulent, inaccurate, false, misleading or deceptive;

                      10.d.iii.4. in a way that violates any applicable law; or

                      10.d.iii.5. in a way that infringes the rights of any other person;

    1. use any robot, spider, scraper or other automated means to access the Website for any purpose without our express written permission;
    2. engage in any activity that interferes with or disrupts the Website or the servers and networks that host the Website;
    3. interfere with security-related features of the Website or features that prevent or restrict use or copying of any content or enforce limitations on the use of the Website or the content on the Website;
    4. use, copy, or distribute content except as permitted by this Agreement, by law or with our prior written consent;
    5. use the Website to upload, transmit or otherwise contribute content that infringes on another party’s intellectual property rights or other proprietary, contractual or fiduciary rights or obligations;
    6. use the Website to upload or publish any content that is unlawful, defamatory, harassing, abusive, fraudulent, obscene, discriminatory (based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age disability, ancestry or national origin) contains Malware, or is otherwise objectionable as reasonably determined by us;
    7. use the Website for any fraudulent or inappropriate purpose;
    8. use browser plugins or third-party services to block or circumvent advertisements displayed on the Website;
    9. use the Website to send unsolicited or spam messages to any third-party;
    10. use the Website to impersonate another user or person;
    11. use the Website to register another person’s name;
    12. use another user’s Account.
  • If we believe in our sole determination that your use of the Website is being used to discriminate especially if based on race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, ancestry or national origin we may permanently or temporarily terminate or suspend your access to the Website and/or your Account without notice and liability to you and for any reason. 
  • You understand and agree that if you engage in any suspected fraudulent, abusive or illegal activity we may, at our discretion, provide your details and details of your conduct to law enforcement authorities without your knowledge or consent.
  • You must keep your account password secure and are solely responsible for the activity that occurs via your account. We cannot be held responsible for any unauthorised activity via your account.
  • If you suspect or become aware of any unauthorised use of your account or that your password is no longer secure, you must notify us immediately and take immediate steps to re-secure your account (including by changing Your password).
  • You are responsible for ensuring your use of the Website complies with all relevant laws and regulations. 
  • You must not use the Website to upload, post, transmit or otherwise make available any material (or hyperlinks to such material) that:
    1. infringes the Intellectual Property Rights of another person;
    2. could reasonably be expected to be threatening, defamatory, abusive, indecent or otherwise unlawful; or
    3. You know or suspect (or ought reasonably to have known or suspected) is false, misleading or deceptive; 
    4. contain images of any person other than you (without their consent);
    5. material, cartoons, pictures or text that is offensive or potentially likely to offend, discriminate, defame or cause social concern; or
    6. nudity.
  • A Client must not sell, re-sell, licence or sub-licence any information contained on the Website.
  • You will not use the Website to send, allow to be sent, or assist in the sending of one or more unsolicited commercial electronic messages or otherwise breach the Spam Act 2003 (Cth) and accompanying regulations.
  • You will not distribute viruses or other malicious software to or through the Website, impose an unreasonable load on the servers of the Website, use a robot, spider or scraper to harvest material (including email addresses) from the Website or bypass any measure used to prevent and control access to the Website.

12. Technical support and general enquiries

  • We will provide you with basic technical support and general enquiries support via phone, chat and email.
  • We will use commercially reasonable efforts to acknowledge each received technical support request and general enquiry request as soon as possible. 
  • When lodging a support request and general enquiry request, you must provide us with sufficient detail to understand and replicate any problem you might be experiencing.
  • You are responsible for consulting our FAQ for any known problems or solutions associated with your request before sending a request to us.
  • You can contact us for technical support and general enquiries between Monday to Friday between 9:00am to 5:00pm.

13. Availability of the Website and changes to the Website

  • We aim to provide a positive experience for you. We reserve the right to change the Website at any time. We do not guarantee that you will be able to access the Website in the same way or with the same technology that you used before the change.
  • We will use commercially reasonable efforts to make your Account available to you, 24 hours a day, seven days (7) a week, except for scheduled downtime.
  • We will use commercially reasonable efforts to communicate downtime via email to the Lawyer.
  • LawyerMe  reserves the right to suspend access to the Website for critical maintenance without notice.

14. Termination

  • You understand that your Paid Membership will not commence or be renewed if we have not received your payment before the Renewal Date. If payment is not received before the Renewal Date, then your Membership will switch to the Free Membership thereafter. If you later pay the monthly Membership Fee, then your Data from you Paid Membership Account will be reinstated. 
  • LawyerMe reserves the right to terminate this Agreement in whole or in part at any time if: 
    1. It decides to do so at any time; or 
    2. you breach a provision of this Agreement; or
    3. you become bankrupt or your law firm becomes insolvent in which case you warrant that you will tell LawyerMe within 7 days of bankruptcy or insolvency; or
  • if there are any changes to your management or ownership. 
  • You may terminate this Agreement by giving us notice in writing. 
  • If you terminate this Agreement, then we will consider this as notice that you do not wish to continue with your Membership. You are still required to make payment of Membership Fees up to the Renewal Date. 
  • Upon termination of this Agreement you must: 
    1. cease utilising any LawyerMe branding; 
    2. destroy any and all Confidential Information in your possession.

15. Liability

  • We make no warranties or representations about the Website and Services. We exclude, to the maximum extent permitted by law, any liability that may arise as a result of your use of the Services and Website.
  • We do not warrant that the Website will be available at all times or that it will be provided without fault or disruption.
  • LawyerMe does not guarantee continuous, error-free access to the Website. 
  • We aim to keep the content of the Website as accurate, useful and error-free as possible, however, except where we are not permitted to do so by law, we exclude all liability to you or anyone else for Loss or damage of any kind or nature relating in any way resulting from your use of, or reliance upon, information contained on the Website including, but not limited to, Loss or damage you might suffer as a result of:
    1. errors, omissions or inaccuracies on the Website;
    2. the information or Legal Service that was provided to you by a Lawyer or Lawyers that you connected with on the Website;
    3. you acting or not acting, on any information contained on or referred to on the Website and/or any linked Website;
    4. personal injury or property damage of any nature resulting from your access to or use of the Website;
    5. any unauthorised access to or use of our secure servers and/or personal data; and/or financial information stored on those servers;
    6. any interruption or cessation of transmission to or from the Website;
    7. any malware which may be transmitted to or through our Website by any third-party; and/or
    8. the quality of any product or service of any linked website.
  • LawyerMe is not liable for any action, statement, representation, inducement, undertaking or advice, or the accuracy of or reliance on such matters, made, provided or published by a Lawyer or Client via the Website or otherwise.
  • LawyerMe will have no liability whatsoever to the Client for any loss of profits, loss of revenue, loss of goodwill, loss of customers, loss of or damage to reputation, loss of capital, downtime costs, loss under or in relation to any other contract, loss of Data, loss of use of Data or any other economic or consequential loss, harm, damages, cost or expense (including legal fees) incurred by you or anyone else under or in connection with the Website or the provision of the Legal Services. 
  • LawyerMe is not liable for any infringement of Intellectual Property Rights that arises as a result of content submitted to LawyerMe for publication on or transmission via the Website by you.
  • You will not hold LawyerMe liable for any Loss or damage suffered as a result of your use of the Website, whether or not that Loss or damage was caused by LawyerMe or another user of the Website.
  • You unconditionally release LawyerMe (and its officers, employees, representatives and contractors) from any liability or obligation (known and unknown) relating to or in connection with any dispute you may have with another user of the Website (either Lawyer or Client or otherwise).
  • To the extent legally permitted, LawyerMe disclaims all warranties, representations, conditions, guarantees and terms other than those expressly set out in this Agreement, express or implied. In the event that LawyerMe is found liable to any party under or in connection with this Client Agreement or the Website, its aggregate liability to that party is limited to the amount that party has paid to LawyerMe for the service that gave rise to the Claim during the 12 months preceding the Claim.
  • This clause survives the termination of this Agreement.
  • Where liability cannot be excluded, any liability incurred by Us in relation to the use of this Website is limited by the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth).
  • We will never be liable for any indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss arising out of the use of the Website, including Loss of business profits irrespective of whether you have informed us of this possibility, or the quantum in advance. 

16. Notices

  • This section governs where a party is required to give another party a notice, demand, consent, approval or communication under this Agreement. 
  • You must give written notice to Us via email and registered postal mail as follows:
    1. Postal mail and physical address: The Proper Officer, LawyerMe Pty Ltd, C/- GDC Tax Pty Ltd 300/447 Victoria St, Wetherill Park NSW 2164; or 
    2. Email: contact@lawyerme.com.au 
  • We will give written notice to you via email and/or postal address  as supplied by you in your Account. 
  • Notices sent to us by you are taken to be received as follows:
    1. If they were sent by pre-paid registered post from within Australia will be deemed received by us five (5) Business Days after date it was lodged with the postal service.
    2. If they were sent from outside Australia then they must be sent by pre-paid priority post and will be deemed received by us fourteen (14) days after the date it was lodged with the postal service otherwise if it wasn’t sent by pre-paid priority post it will be deemed received by us twenty-eight (28) days after the date lodged with the postal service.
    3. If they were sent by email they will be deemed delivered when it reaches our internal email system, except when it reaches us after 4:00pm, on the weekend or on a public holiday, in which case it will be deemed delivered at 9:00am on the next Business Day, unless the sender receives a delivery failure notification indicating that the amil has not been delivered to the addressee; 
    4. if hand delivered, on the date of delivery.

17. Variation

  • This Agreement is effective between you and us as at the Start Date. 
  • We may change the terms of this Agreement at our discretion. Where such change adversely affects your material rights, you may terminate the Agreement by giving us 30 days’ notice in writing, and any unused portion of your Paid Membership may be refunded.
  • A version of the current and updated Agreement will be available on the Website, at all times. By continuing to use the Website and Services you acknowledge and accept the terms of this Agreement as amended from time to time. The Agreement is in no way limited or altered by any other terms or conditions on the Website. Where there is an inconsistency between this Agreement and any policies or rules, they shall be interpreted and take priority in that sequence.

18. Assignment

  • You may not assign any of your rights or obligations under this Agreement whether by operation of law or otherwise, without our prior written consent.
  • We may assign any of our rights or obligations under this Agreement at our discretion and ensure that any assignee undertakes to comply with the terms of Agreement between you and us as at the date of assignment.

19. Dispute resolution

  • No Proceedings – a Lawyer must not start court proceedings in respect of a dispute arising out of this Agreement (Dispute) unless it has complied with this Clause.
  • Notification of Dispute – A Lawyer claiming that a Dispute has arisen must notify LawyerMe giving written details of the Dispute.
  • Best Efforts to Resolve Dispute – During the ten (10) day period after a notice is given (or longer period unanimously agreed in writing by the Parties to the Dispute) (Initial Period) the Lawyer and LawyerMe representative must meet in good faith and use their best efforts to resolve the Dispute (Settlement Conference). 
  • Appointment of Experts – if no agreement is reached in respect of the Dispute after the Settlement Conference, the Parties are to appoint an independent mediator. If the Parties cannot agree on a mediator, then either Party may request that a practising barrister or solicitor be appointed by the President of the Law Society of New South Wales. The mediator appointed by the Law Society is to have a minimum of five (5) years practising as a mediator. 
  • Variation of Process – The Parties may agree to vary the dispute resolution procedure as outlined above if they all agree in writing.

20. Publishing other material

  • Lawyers may submit material to the LawyerMe for publication on the Website (Published Material).
  • Published Material does not constitute legal advice and should only be relied on by any person as general information.
  • LawyerMe reserves the right to revise, edit, delete or amend any Published Material.
  • LawyerMe makes no guarantee, representation or warranty as to the accuracy or veracity of any information contained in any Published Material.

21. Conflict checks by Lawyers

  • A Lawyer who prepares a fee proposal or otherwise tenders for the provision of legal services to a Client via the Website is responsible for undertaking his or her own conflict check with respect to any Clients. 
  • LawyerMe is not responsible for any Loss incurred for failing to recognise a conflict of interest between any Client and any Lawyer or potential client of the Lawyer.

22. GST

  • Unless expressly stated otherwise, all amounts payable under this User Agreement are exclusive of GST.
  • If GST is payable under this Agreement, for which the consideration is not expressly stated to include GST, you agree to pay LawyerMe an additional amount equal to the GST payable at the same time that the Membership Fee is to be provided.

23. Links to other websites

  • The Website may contain links to other third party websites.  LawyerMe does not control the third party websites. The links are on the Website for the convenient of Clients and Lawyers . 
  • LawyerMe makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy of the information on any third party websites. The availability of the links on the LawyerMe website does not in any way imply endorsement, recommendation or support by LawyerMe of that website or its contents. You acknowledge and agree that any access and use of the third party website is at your own risk. 
  • LawyerMe is not responsible for: the contents found on the third party website or any link found on the third party website, any changes made to the third party websites or any losses suffered by you in connection with accessing the third party website. 

24. General

  • Any indemnity or any obligation under this agreement survives termination or expiry of this agreement. 
  • We may assign our rights and we may transfer our obligation under this agreement to any person or third party without your prior written consent. It is your obligation to give effect to this. 
  • Any provision of this agreement which is illegal, void or unenforceable in whole or in part is ineffective to the extent only of such illegality, voidance or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining provisions or parts of those provisions.  
  • A party does not waive a right, power or remedy if it fails to exercise or delays in exercising the right power or remedy. 
  • This Agreement does not create a relationship of employment, trust agency or partnership between you and LawyerMe
  • This Agreement is governed by and is to be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New South Wales and each party submits to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of that State and any Courts hearing appeals therefrom.  
  • This Agreement sets out the entire Agreement between the Lawyer and LawyerMe in relation to the use of the Website. If any amendments are to be made to this Agreement in its current form, each party must treat those amendments as confidential information and no announcement or communication relating to the negotiations of the parties or to the existence, subject matter or terms of the amendments may be made or authorised by a party unless:
    1. the other party has first given their written approval;
    2. the disclosure is to the party’s related bodies corporate, officers, employees, consultants, professional advisers, bankers, financial advisers or financiers;
    3. the disclosure is to a person whose consent is required under this Agreement or is necessary or desirable for a transaction contemplated by it; or
    4. the disclosure is made to the extent reasonably needed to comply with:
    5. any applicable law; or 
    6. the listing rules applicable to the party (or a related body corporate of the party).
  • We reserve the right to revise and amend this Agreement at our discretion at any time without any notice to you. 

25. Non-disparagement

a) Each of the Parties must not, at any time after executing this Agreement, even if the Lawyer continues to be on the Paid Membership or whether it no longer has a LawyerMe Account, disparage LawyerMe or make any statement or publication, whether oral or in writing, which does or is likely to bring LawyerMe into disrepute or ridicule or otherwise adversely affect its reputation. 

b) If any amendments are to be made to this Agreement in its current form, each party must treat those amendments as confidential information and no announcement or communication relating to the negotiations of the parties or to the existence, subject matter or terms of the amendments may be made or authorised by a party unless:

    1. the other party has first given their written approval;
    2. the disclosure is to the party’s related bodies corporate, officers, employees, consultants, professional advisers, bankers, financial advisers or financiers;
    3. the disclosure is to a person whose consent is required under this Agreement or is necessary or desirable for a transaction contemplated by it; or
    4. the disclosure is made to the extent reasonably needed to comply with:

                           25.b.iv.1. any applicable law; or 

                           25.b.iv.2. the listing rules applicable to the party (or a related body corporate of the party).

     5. Paragraph b above does not prohibit:

    • Disclosure or use required for the purpose of any proceeding arising out of this Agreement or any other agreement entered into under or pursuant to this Agreement; or
    • Disclosure to any governmental agency, provided that such disclosure is made only to the extent which is necessary to satisfy applicable legal or regulatory obligations.

26. Lawyer Reviews and Ratings

  • A Client may provide a review or rating to a Lawyer. 
  • We may moderate or cancel a review or rating at any time without prior notice at our sole discretion (though we do not have the obligation to moderate). LawyerMe may contact the Client to question the validity of a review or rating. 
  • We encourage Clients to provide reviews and ratings of their experience with Lawyers..
  • If the Lawyer believes that a review or rating provided by a Client is incorrect, then they are to contact LawyerMe. 

27. Information on the Website

  • We do not pre-screen all contributed content or regularly review all contributed content (including Client Post or responses by Lawyers to Client Posts), but we reserve the absolute right (though not the obligation) to remove, without notice, any content published.
  • You understand and agree that except where required by law, we are not responsible for inaccuracies or errors caused by incorrect information supplied to us on the Website.
  • You agree to make your own enquiries to verify the accuracy and/or suitability of any information contained on the Website.